Invited Commentary

Abstract

I am grateful for the opportunity to comment on the manuscript by Jones and colleagues [1Jones S.G. Hu Y. Xu Q. Jahangiri M. Stem cells accumulate on a decellularized arterial xenograft in vivo.Ann Thorac Surg. 2014; 97: 2104-2110Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (6) Google Scholar], because it represents an interesting and novel approach that addresses a long-standing issue of creating a clinically applicable biological vascular prosthesis. The current interest in complete arterial revascularization in clinical practice remains a vexing problem because of the limited availability of appropriate arterial conduits. Recently, several interesting papers demonstrated development bioengineered grafts using stem cells [2Schaner P.J. Martin N.D. Tulenko T.N. et al.Decellularized vein as a potential scaffold for vascular tissue engineering.J Vasc Surg. 2004; 40: 146-153Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (279) Google Scholar, 3Isenberg B.C. Williams C. Tranquillo R.T. Small-diameter artificial arteries engineered in vitro.Circ Res. 2006; 98: 25-35Crossref PubMed Scopus (426) Google Scholar]. However, these grafts need a surface modification to improve cell recruitment and attachment; this is particularly true for endothelial cells that are anchored dependent cells. A fibrin meshwork might enhance endothelialization [4Kipshidze N. Ferguson 3rd, J.J. Keelan Jr., M.H. et al.Endoluminal reconstruction of the arterial wall with endothelial cell/glue matrix reduces restenosis in an atherosclerotic rabbit.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2000; 36: 1396-1403Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (35) Google Scholar]. The authors successfully studied decellularized human arterial scaffolds to be used as grafts in their experiments. Therein lies attraction of the elegant approach taken by investigators. They have demonstrated that decellularized branches of the human internal mammary artery can be used as an arterial interposition graft in a small animal model. They have shown cellular repopulation with the presence of progenitor cells and the development of mature endothelial and smooth muscle cells markers. This study needs to be expanded to large animal model and perhaps for use in additional pilot clinical studies of human-derived grafts. Stem Cells Accumulate on a Decellularized Arterial Xenograft In VivoThe Annals of Thoracic SurgeryVol. 97Issue 6PreviewSurgical interest in complete arterial revascularization is expanding, but some patients lack suitable conduits for this goal. The field of stem cell biology is rapidly expanding and, together with the concepts of tissue engineering, offers the promise of growing autologous grafts in the laboratory. We aim to develop a model using human arteries as vascular grafts in a murine model and to assess the cellular accumulation on these grafts. Full-Text PDF